Virgin Gorda, BVI — Paul Cayard and Russell Coutts finished overlapped in the first race of the fleet racing portion of the Bitter End Yacht Club’s Pro-Am Regatta, and from that point on, the other eight skippers seemed to fade a bit as the event took on the appearance of the “Paul and Russell Show.” Sailing with crews composed entirely of guests of BEYC, the two seemed right at home in the IC 24s used for the event — a J/24 that has been modified with a Melges 24-type cockpit. Cayard’s worst finish was a second place, which ultimately provided him with a seven-point edge over Coutts. Ken Read missed the first four races because of airline problems, but the judges awarded him average points, which moved him into the third spot on the podium. The event continues on Thursday with the top four Masters Division skippers from the fleet racing portion of the event (Butch Ulmer, Keith Musto, Rod Johnstone & Bruce Kirby) and the top four Junior Division skippers (Cayard, Coutts, Read & Dave Perry) tangling in the match racing phase of the BEYC Pro-Am Regatta

See the Bitter End Yacht Club Pro Am Regatta, the IRC East Coast Championship, plus an interview with bowman Jerry
Kirby online at http://www.t2p.tv/